Dental Emergencies

Sometimes patients experience drastic changes in the mouth. Oftentimes the changes are accompanied by pain. There are a wide variety of things that can go wrong and affect your teeth, gums, and mouth. Here we will discuss a few of the more common emergencies that patients experience.

Tooth Infection or Abscess:

A tooth infection usually results from a cavity that has been allowed to grow large enough that the bacteria had access to the vasculature and nerves in the center of the tooth. If the bacteria has infected the tooth and the continues to develop it can lead to a dental abscess which is a visible swelling of the face in connection with an infected tooth. Symptoms include; swelling, spontaneous pain that may keep you up at night, foul discharge, fever and sometimes difficulty breathing and/or swallowing. These can be painful and potentially life threatening if not addressed in a timely manner. If you suspect you have this condition, see your dentist as soon as possible. Should you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing then it is recommended you immediately seek emergency care at your local hospital.

Bleeding or Painful Gums:

Serious gum issues a result of a condition called periodontitis. If the gums are not properly cared for, bacteria makes its way into the space between the gum and tooth.
If allowed to remain there this bacteria will continue to go deeper into that space creating a “pocket” where it can do damage to the bone holding your tooth in place. This usually results in gums that bleed easily when touched/brushed/flossed, swelling, redness, bad breath, and even gum infections. Unfortunately, untreated periodontal disease puts a heavy burden on the heart and other organs of the body so this is especially worrisome to those with existing heart conditions, diabetes, etc. If you suspect you have this condition, see your dentist about treatment options.

Broken, displaced or chipped teeth:

Teeth that have chipped or fractured can cause quite a scare as it often happens unexpectedly. Treatment depends on how the tooth breaks or chips and can range from smoothing out the sharp edges to needing comprehensive treatment such as a root canal and crown to save the tooth. Reasons for the fracture vary but being careful when eating hard foods (think almonds or popcorn kernals) can be a smart preventative thing to do. Also, avoid using your teeth for anything except chewing food. Lastly, if you partake in contact sports use a mouthguard. If your tooth has broken in any way, visit your dentist. If your tooth has been displaced due to trauma, an immediate visit to a dentist may save it.

Sudden Cold or Hot Sensitivity:

Teeth like every other part of your body are vital and have nerves they are associated with and sometimes these nerves will overreact to a stimulus such as cold or hot foods and beverages.
There are many reasons for this sudden change and sometimes it is temporary, other times intervention is necessary. If you are experiencing a sudden sensitivity to cold or hot, visit your dentist to figure out the cause.